The Best Restaurants At Art Basel Miami Beach 2015

2015 is the Year of Archaeology in Tuscany,where celebrations have showcased the region’s best art, culture and gastronomy. Chef Jeff Maxfield of Toscana Divino (Mary Brickell Village), highlights signature dish pici senesi all’anatra first made in Etruscan times 2500 years ago. ‘Creating food with love’ is Toscana Divino’s philosophy, and this dish is prepared by everyone in the kitchen, including the rolling of the pici (pasta). With such a long history, the pasta is served with what Chef Maxfield calls a ‘humble’ sugo (sauce) — duck legs are roasted and then braised for two hours at a light simmer in a pot with carrots, celery, onions, orange zest, tomato paste and white wine. The sugo pays homage to the quality and craftsmanship of the pici, but most importantly pays respect to Italy’s rich culture and history. ‘No poem was ever written by a drinker of water,’ a historically appropriate quote by Roman poet, Horace, introduces Toscana Divino’s extensive wine list. If passionate about wine, be sure to peruse the restaurant’s regular tasting and wine dinner events. The restaurant also exhibits sculptures and paintings, plus design and fashion pieces by contemporary Italian artists.

From December 3-6, Mandarin Oriental Miami’s waterfront Peruvian restaurant La Mar by Gastón Acurio presents Pure Abstraction, featuring artworks by internationally recognized contemporary street artist and award-winning painter Alex Brewer, known as HENSE. The exhibition celebrates the restaurant’s vibrant atmosphere and eclectic cuisine with a collection of artworks combining techniques of graffiti and abstract painting. Elegant compositions saturated with bold colors and lively movement will show how HENSE explores the relationship between his experiences in the studio and on the street. To complement this event, Chef Acurio will present art-inspired epicurean masterpieces including causa cangrejo — beet causa, crab, tobiko, avocado, huancaína sauce, cherry tomato, and quail egg. Traditionally, causais a Peruvian dish made with chilled whipped potatoes topped with vegetables or seafood. The exhibition will be launched with a special artist appearance and experimental electric violin performance on Thursday, December 3, 2015.
Area Events: Miami River Art Fair; Miami Street Photography Festival at HistoryMiami Museum; Leyden Rodriguez-Casanova: Exhuming Obsolescence at the Miami Center for Architecture and Design; Steven and William Ladd: Mary Queen of the Universe at MDC Museum of Art + Design.

Influenced by his French and Persian roots, Fooq’s owner, David Foulquier, presents a new style of comfort food in a cozy setting with splashes of downtown ‘chic.’ Guests will enjoy Chef Bryan Rojas’ menu that honors culinary traditions with a novel twist. A perfect ‘feel good’ dish for two is the Persian lamb shank served bone-in, with harrisa hummus, herb yogurt, zataar naan bread, and natural jus. Top off the meal with delight in a teacup filled with a signature Persian sundae made with saffron and rosewater gelatos, shredded halava, roasted salted pistachios, medjool dates, Valrhona chocolate pearls, and pomegranate molasses.
Area Events: The Basel Flea at Canvas Miami; Gustavo Pérez Monzón: Tramas at CIFO Art Space; SPECTRUM Miami; Red Dot Art Fair; ArtSpot Miami.

Sugarcane Raw Bar and Grill is a Midtown favorite synonymous with casual cool and epicurean revelations. Helmed by celebrated executive chef-partner Timon Balloo, the restaurant’s menu ranges from crudos and raw bar to more hardy fare. Inspired by international influences and fueled by South American spirit, the restaurant offers a shared experience via its menu of large and small plates, artisanal cocktails, and an extensive rum selection. Sugarcane’s location is perfect for Art Miami fair-goers, providing a warm and social atmosphere to which the dining experience is guaranteed to stimulate the senses.

Alter’s Executive Chef Brad Kilgore is celebrated for his exquisite menu, and each plate is a visual masterpiece. The Wynwood Arts District restaurant will offer guests a five course and seven course tasting menu exclusively from December 1-5. Enjoy seasonal cuisine that is focused on locally sourced ingredients such as soft egg with sea scallop espuma, chive, truffle pearls, plus gruyere and grouper cheeks with black rice, shoyu hollandaise, and sea lettuces.
Area Events: Art Miami; CONTEXT Art Miami; Pinta Miami; X-Contemporary; NO MAN’S LAND: Women Artists from the Rubell Family Collection; Masterpieces from the Collection at Nader Latin American Art Museum; Anselm Kiefer: Paintings, Sculpture and Installation and Susan Philipsz: Immersive Sound Installation at The Margulies Collection at the Warehouse; You’ve Got to Know the Rules…to Break Them at De la Cruz Collection.